Dhaka Deli, High Street
It’s hard to believe that, in the UK, two village pubs close every day yet the village people of Ruddington manage to prop up seven. And when we merrily spill from the pubs with our jovial munchies, we’re spoilt for choice in that department, too! It was a stroke of genius when Mahbubur Ramen (Mabs) from opened Dhaka Deli’s doors right next to The Frame Breakers pub. After all, who doesn’t love a good curry after a few pints?
Dhaka Deli shines a bright hue of lilac over our High Street (it’s decorated purple) and over the weekend it’s completely bustling from beginning to end with happy, purple-lit diners. Their “bring your own booze policy” is an additional draw to our lively locals. Mid-week is worth a visit too, as during my last visit they catered for four of us and we were all amazed by the fresh food and excellent service.
Dhaka Deli offers the good old dishes you’d expect from any curry-house, but they also go the extra mile. They serve up the kind of food you’d find in fine dining restaurants, but the price and quantity are spot-on. The menu is a fusion of south Indian food, mixing Bangladeshi curries with Indian recipes. They cater for vegans, too! We spoke to Mabs to find out more about him and his popular restaurant.
Q. Why did you open in Ruddington?
A. When the opportunity came up, we had to take it. Our family run another restaurant in Ruddington and we knew there was a healthy appetite in Rudd for good food. I have been in the industry for 18 years and we were ready.
Q. What are your most popular dishes and what are your signature dishes?
A. Ruddingtonians love our Garlic Chicken Masala and Tandoori Chicken Sagg. However, for the more adventurous, our signature dishes like the Tribuji, Chili Chicken or the Murg Lamb sizzler are big hits.
Q. What is your hottest dish?
A. Vindaloo, but we can make any dish as hot as you like.
Q. How many spices do you use?
A. Something like 40!
Q. People love that they can bring their own drinks to the restaurant; what’s the strangest beverage you’ve seen?
A. Four women brought in 16 bottles of wine…
Q. How many people can you cater for?
A. We seat 35 and have taken party bookings for this quantity; our party bookings work out as better value for money.
Q. What do you like to do in Rudd when you’re not working?
A. We have great cafés for breakfast and we love-love our neighbours at The Frame Breakers pub.
Thanks Mabs! We’re all hungry now. (Don’t forget: Dhaka Deli do takeaways too!)
Sarah Godfrey